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Confined spaces are found in nearly every industry and pose a challenge for workplace safety.

Confined spaces present serious risks to the workers who must enter them. Of course, it's possible (and necessary) to mitigate those risks. With a thorough understanding of confined spaces, the hazards of working in them, and how they can be managed, workers can complete their tasks safely and efficiently.

So what exactly is a confined space and what sort of PPE do you need to work safely in one? Keeping reading to find out.

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What Makes a Space a Confined Space?

There are a few criteria that a work area must meet to be considered a confined space:

The space is not necessarily designed for workers, but is large enough for someone to enter and perform certain tasks

May contain walls that converge inward or floors that slope downward, which could trap an entrant

May contain other physical hazards, such as unguarded machines or exposed live wires

Must be identified by the employer, who must then inform exposed employees of the location of such spaces and their hazards

Common Confined Space Hazards

Confined space hazards are numerous and they can prove dangerous or fatal to workers who don’t take the necessary precautions. Fully understanding these hazards is a critical part of making informed decisions about what sort of PPE will be required.

Oxygen Deficiency

The leading cause of death among workers in confined spaces is oxygen deficiency. Brain damage can occur and the heart may stop after only a short amount of time in an oxygen deficient environment. The only way to detect low oxygen levels (those below 19.5 percent) is to test the air.

Low oxygen levels may result from:

Complimentary Webinar - Heat Stress: Are you remembering these 2 pieces of PPE?

Prevention of heat stress in workers is important. Employers should provide training to workers so they understand what heat stress is, how it affects their health and safety, and how it can be prevented.

Oxygen Enrichment

While it’s not as common as low oxygen, too much oxygen (more than 21 percent) is also dangerous to the occupants of a confined space. It increases the risk of fire or explosion and can be detected only by using a properly calibrated oxygen monitor.

Toxic Atmosphere

Even with normal oxygen levels, there may be contaminants in the air that are hazardous to a worker's health.

Common toxic gases in confined spaces include hydrogen sulfide, which has a distinct rotten egg smell, and carbon monoxide, which is both odorless and colorless.

Flammable or Explosive Atmosphere

The right mixture of air and gas can easily lead to an explosion. The critical factors include:

Engulfment Hazards

Either liquids or solids can quickly engulf a space and trap or asphyxiate the workers inside it. Common hazards include water or sewage flow and loose, granular materials like grain, sand, and coal.

Physical Hazards

Potential physical hazards in confined spaces include:

Noise

Extreme heat or cold

Radiation

Vibration

Electrical hazard

Inadequate lighting within the space

Limited Communication

Communication is key to keeping confined space workers safe – particularly when there is no direct line of sight between those outside the space and those in it.

Without reliable communication, workers inside have no way to call for help or alert supervisors to potentially unsafe conditions. It also means that supervisors have no real way to confirm the safety of those inside, which puts lives at risk.

Managing Hazards with the Right PPE

Despite the severe hazards that confined spaces pose, there’s good news. Proper confined space PPE can protect workers during their shifts – and even save lives. While engineering and administrative control measures should be applied first, personal protective equipment offers a final (and critical) line of defense for workers.

Here’s what you need to know.

Fall Protection

All workers – not just those entering the space – must be outfitted with fall protection. Employees working near openings (like manholes) should wear a restraint lanyard or fall arrest lifeline.

Workers entering the confined space must don a chest or full-body harness with a retrieval line sufficient to allow for the successful removal of the worker in case of emergency. The same harness can be attached to a self-retracting lifeline, which acts as a personal fall arrest system should a fall take place. Workers not familiar with fall protection equipment must be properly trained before they may use it. Special attention should be paid to ensure that the fall protection doesn’t interfere with free movement in the space.

An estimated 60 percent of confined space fatalities happen during botched rescue operations. It’s critical, then, that rescuers be trained and wear fall protection, as well. It doesn’t take much for one incident to turn into a complex, multi-person rescue.

Gas Detection

In confined space work, gas detection equipment is treated as PPE. Employers must provide the equipment to workers at no cost, maintain the devices, and give training on how to use them.

Before entering the space, the atmosphere must be tested for oxygen content, flammable gases and vapors, and toxic air contaminants – in that order. Atmospheric testing helps evaluate the hazards and confirm that the space is safe for entry. For this reason, a reliable multi-gas detector is a must-have for confined space work.

Respiratory Protection

Respiratory protection is required under OSHA rules anytime a space does not meet the following conditions:

Toxic gases: below the permissible exposure limit or time-weighted average of a substance

If there is a need for a breathing apparatus, entrants must use a self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) or supplied air respirator. Be sure to consider the type of work being done when making your selection; the length of the air line hose will limit user movement.

Rescuers should also be equipped with respirators that are well maintained and ready to use in the event of a rescue.

Communication Devices

Communication gear is a critical part of keeping workers safe inside a confined space, and as such, it should fall under the PPE umbrella. There are a number of things you need to look for in communication devices:

Hands-free

Wireless

Full-duplex

Independently powered

Integrated with hearing protection

Cell phones should be avoided. They require workers to dial on a keypad to reach someone and mobile service can be spotty and unreliable. Two-way radios are also wireless, and are therefore susceptible to service interruptions as well.

Wearable devices are an excellent option to help protect workers while on the job. Wearable tech that is appropriate for confined space work ranges from headsets and helmets to smart watches and phones. The devices are usually hands-free, and therefore ideal for use in confined spaces that can be difficult to maneuver in. Options include devices to measure brain activity, alert supervisors when a worker falls or experiences fatigue, detect gas, and pinpoint the exact location of the wearer. Rapidly changing technology means that this area of PPE is definitely one to watch.

Other Protective Gear

When it comes to hazards like loud noise and falling objects, workers must be ready. Anyone entering a confined space should wear a full safety suit made of material that can protect against toxic or irritating substances. Workers entering a space that has extreme temperature hazards must wear protection suitable for the circumstances.

If there is the risk of head injury or falling objects, workers must wear a safety helmet that complies with international standards. All workers must wear eye and face protection, including safety goggles where there is a risk of eye-irritating chemicals, vapors, or dusts. Workers must also use gloves made of a material suitable to the hazards present in the space. Note that specialty gloves may be necessary to protect workers from extreme heat or cold or when using specific tools.

Shoesand boots should comply with safety codes and offer good traction on slippery surfaces. Additional considerations may be made for workers in spaces that have slip hazards, electricity, falling objects, chemicals, or sparks.

Finally, workers who are exposed to excessive noise must wear hearing protection. It’s important to consider communication, however, as workers inside a confined space must be able to communicate with those outside it with ease.

Conclusion

Confined space work is inherently risky, but being equipped with the right PPE for the task at hand is essential for remaining safe. Whether it’s a sewer or silo, pipeline or tunnel, understanding the hazards is the first step to selecting the PPE that can best help you manage them.

Check out the rest of our content about Personal Protective Equipment here.

PRESENTED BY

My name is Erin Flannery and I am a third-generation Owner and Vice President of B-Lann Equipment.

My grandfather and grandmother started this business many years ago. My grandfather was the captain of the fire department right here in Troy NY. In order to supplement their income, they would fill fire extinguishers at night and on the weekend—right from their kitchen table.

It’s always been a true family business. My father, uncle and aunt all worked here over the years. As they were getting ready to move on to the next phase of their lives(retirement), my cousin and I stepped in to take over.

I’ve been here with B-Lann for about 6 years now. I’m constantly learning new safetyrules and regulations and what new items are available to meet those requirements. I’ve devoted quite some time to understanding not only personal protective clothing, but also gas meters, fire suppression systems and facility safety items.

I’ve acquired my Associates Degree in Business from Bryant and Stratton College. I’ve also attended many training classes through the Safety Marketing Group (SMG). We are, in fact, a founding member of SMG. The additional training from SMG has enabled me to further my knowledge on personal protective equipment (PPE) choices and the importance of PPE in the safety world. I am currently working on my Safety Equipment Expert (SEE) Certification. The training includes OSHA 10 hour and OSHA 8-hour classes, along with Solution Based Sales training and various training classes from our Manufacturers.

My role here at B-Lann is difficult to pinpoint to one particular task. I am responsible for a sales territory covering five counties in Upstate New York. While this alone keeps me busy, I am also tasked with overseeing Human Resources, and being the point person for our advertising and marketing campaigns. I am also working on developing and maintaining our website and Safety Program to keep them up-to- date with industry trends.

In my spare time I like to read, knit and spend time with my 3 grandchildren, Aubrey (4 years old), Kaycee (2 years old) and Kyle (2 years old). They are the light of my life. I also spend time with my husband Mark, camping fishing and kayaking.